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Minority Protection

In 1998 the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities entered into force. This study evaluates how the standards of the Framework Convention function in reality and whether the interests of minorities are best served by this form of protection by the international community. The author assesses the use of international principles on rights for minorities in Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, three States with a difficult socio-economic situation and large minority populations. Two specific principles embodied in the Framework Convention are focused upon. The first, the principle of non-discrimination, is discussed with regard to the Roma minority in Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria, the Muslim minority in Bulgaria, and in relation to the Bene Decrees affecting the Hungarians and German minority in Slovakia. The second principle, protection of linguistic rights, is discussed in relation to the Hungarian minority in Slovakia and Romania and to the Roma minorities.

Contents:

Preface; acknowledgements; abbreviations

Part I. Introduction: 1. Purpose and overview of this study; 2. Counting minorities

Part II. Non-Discrimination: International standards and national practice; 4. The Roma minority in Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria; 5. National measures concerning the Roma; 6. The Muslims in Bulgaria; 7. The Benes Decrees Decrees; 8. Conclusion concerning non-discrimination

Part III. Linguistic Rights: 9. International standards concerning the linguistic rights of minorities; 10. The heritage of Trianon; 11. The use of minority languages in public; the case of Slovakia; 12. Educational rights; 13. Conclusions concerning linguistic rights

Part IV. Concluding Remarks: 14. Conclusions, observations and recommendations; bibliography; Annex I Council of Europe framework convention for the protection of national minorities; Annex II Census results; Index.